AGENCY

PROGRAM

OBJECTIVES

The SUNY Technology Accelerator Fund (“TAF”)
provides funding to support the advancement of SUNY technologies
from the lab to the marketplace. In many cases, SUNY
technology developed through sponsored research lacks critical
proof-of-concept data that is needed to attract investment by
potential licensees or investors.

TAF support targets the critical milestones needed to
demonstrate that a technology is worthy of external
investment. Our aim is to identify opportunities where small
investments will make a significant impact on making SUNY
technologies available to the public.

ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS

Projects from all disciplines are welcome to apply for TAF Class
of 2018 funding. Only SUNY faculty, staff or students are eligible
to apply for TAF funding. For a project to be eligible, you must
have filed a completed UB New Technology Disclosure (NTD) form with
UB's Technology Transfer office (formerly STOR).

The project leader must be an individual who has technology
commercialization and project management experience, and has proved
to be effective at tracking deliverables.The lead inventor does not
have to be the project manager.

In general, only those proposals are funded which can
demonstrate commercialization milestones achievable within six
months. However, the TAF Managing Director may make an exception to
this requirement if the applicant demonstrates that interim
milestones can be reached within six months.

FUNDING INFORMATION

Awards up to $50,000 will be funded, but projects will be funded
at the level deemed necessary to achieve the proposed project
objectives.

INTERNAL REVIEW PROCESS

Since UB can submit just two applications, if you would like
your project to be considered, please submit the following
documents. These documents will be reviewed by an ad hoc
committee which will recommend to the Vice President for Research
and Economic Development the two proposals with the best chance of
being funded.

Submit the following for internal review

A project narrative (three-page limit):

Provide a description of the technology (i.e. innovation) and
its field of application.

Describe how the technology would impact the marketplace: need
for product or service; market size; competitive advantages.
Include key data showing the technical feasibility of the
technology.

Include key data showing the technical feasibility of the
technology.

Describe to the proposed development plan that will position
the technology for commercialization and how the TAF award would be
critical for advancing the commercialization potential.
Describe potential licensees, interested companies or start-up
opportunities.

Finally, include the STOR NTD number and title and associated
patents or patent applications. If the technology involves
intellectual property other than patentable subject matter (e.g.
copyright, software, biological material, etc.), please note as
such.

A brief CV for each project team member.

Documentation of interest from at least two potential industry
partners, investors or entrepreneurs.

Due to the limited number of applications, if you or your
colleagues are interested in applying, please submit the internal
review documents to Kenneth Tramposch at ovpr.limitedsubmission@research.buffalo.edu
by December 8, 2017. The two selected UB
applications will be invited to submit a full proposal.

The full proposal deadline is February 16, 2018.

Since the university is allowed only two full applications,
if you or your colleagues are interested in applying,
please submit the internal review documents to Kenneth Tramposch
at ovpr.limitedsubmission@research.buffalo.edu by
Dec. 8, 2017. The two selected UB applications will be invited
to submit a full proposal.